EAST WHITELAND — A Major League Baseball career spanning four decades takes perseverance and commitment — qualities former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer emphasized to Immaculata University graduates Sunday afternoon.

“It’s an exciting day, these are milestones that everybody reaches and we all reach them in different ways,” Moyer said.

Moyer delivered the commencement address to more than 900 graduates Sunday at the school’s 89th graduation. He urged them to persevere in their life’s efforts, but to have humility and give back to others while doing it.

With a professional pitching career spanning from 1986-2012, Moyer holds the record as the oldest player to record a win in the league at 49 in May of 2012. He was a member of the 2008 World Series team with the Phillies. His career, however, is a mix of highs and lows of expectations and injuries, a comeback story some would find heroic.

“It’s a great feeling to prove the experts wrong, overcome adversity, and exceed the goals you have set for yourself,” Moyer said. “What I have learned is that this requires perseverance as well as personal integrity and faith in one’s own self and abilities.”

“Graduation is a time to acknowledge the gifts and talents hard work and perseverance of those who have been awarded degrees,” Fadden said.

The Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. received the Immaculata Medal. According to the university, this is awarded to an individual who has publicly exercised creative leadership, demonstrated sound scholarship in their field, or served the University in an extraordinary way.

Pacholczyk, director of education for the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, writes a monthly column that is syndicated in the country to diocesan and international newspapers. As a world renowned expert on contemporary bioethics, he often appears on national television news shows.

Earlier in the ceremony the university presented Moyer with an honorary doctor of laws degree.

Currently residing in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Moyer is inactive and a free agent, but has made no official decision on his baseball career.

In 2000, Moyer founded The Moyer Foundation with his wife Karen. According to the foundation, the mission is to “empower children in distress by providing education and support—helping them to live healthy and inspired lives.”

Currently the foundation works with two programs it established, Camp Erin and Camp Mariposa. Camp Erin is a free bereavement camp for children and teens ages 6 to 17 that are grieving with a death. The program operates 41 locations across the country that includes one in every city with a MLB team.

“There are so many worthy causes in our society, but when it comes to children and children that are living with distress or in distress, we realize these kids don’t ask to be in this type of situation so we’re trying to bring awareness and educate people on some of the issues and allow them to make good decisions on how and when and where to help,” Moyer said.

Camp Mariposa is a free program for children ages 9 to 12 who are living with an addicted or co-dependent family member.

Moyer stressed the responsibility they have as graduates to serve and use their knowledge to help others.

“It’s what you do when no one is looking that ends up separating you from the crowd,”

Moyer challenged the graduate to apply the values learned at Immaculata, to stay true to themselves and always give back.

“As my wife Karen tells our children every morning, go out and make it a great day,” he said.